Cassandra May Martin

Hesperus resident Cassandra May Martin died Friday, July 13, 2012, from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident near Durango. She was 20.

Known as “Cassie,” she was born to Lane Martin and Tracy Gilbert on Jan. 5, 1992, in Redmond, Wash. She grew up in Redmond and attended schools there, graduating from Cedar Crest High School in 2010.

Her family said she researched many colleges and chose Fort Lewis College. Ms. Martin and her boyfriend, John Nichols, had known each other since December 2009, and they both moved to Durango.

“She embraced the culture of Durango and enjoyed all the outdoor activities associated with the town,” her family said. She especially enjoyed hiking and river rafting.

Ms. Martin had worked at Walgreens and Durango Pet Resort. She most recently was working at Hydration Station and really enjoyed it, her family said.

“She was an animal lover and wanted to pursue a future career to help the welfare of animals,” her family said. She loved her dogs Bailey and Molly and her cats Black Jack and Gray Boy. She would walk friends’ dogs whenever she could.

Ms. Martin also enjoyed reading. She was collecting her grandmother’s recipes and “baked a great banana bread,” her family said.

Ms. Martin is survived by her boyfriend, John Nichols of Hesperus; mother, Tracy Gilbert of Washington; father, Lane Martin of Washington; grandparents Susanna and Rick Gilbert of Washington; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and nephews.

Cremation will occur. A memorial service will take place at a later date in Washington.

Memorial contributions may be made to La Plata County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2164, Durango CO 81302, or at www.lpchumanesociety.org.